Ask any boy, man, or grandfather about history's most famous post-war supercars, and they will invariably name the Mercedes 300SL Gullwing, the Lamborghini Miura, the Ferrari 250GTO, and Jaguar's XK-E.
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The latter, sporting an incredibly sleek and sexy shape, 4-wheel disc brakes, and 150mph capability, created a true world sensation following its public introduction at London's 1961 Earl's Court Motorshow.
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Today, the earlier an E-Type's build date, the more valuable it seems to be. An early "E" is the prized possession of many aficionados around the globe. Especially the first-year, "flat floor" Coupés are in high demand. Trouble is, it's almost impossible to find one, as most have long ascended to the big Jaguar boneyard in the sky or disappeared forever in collector's garages.
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This flat floor E-Type, Serial No. *885425*, the 425th LHD Coupé ever built (here shown in the paddock, a coon's age ago), is even more special than other survivors. One in a million, it's the proverbial dual-purpose Road & Track rocket!
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Always a rust free California cat, this outrageous example was purchased four decades ago by a wealthy real estate developer from San Francisco. Since the owner enjoyed a good game of golf as much as fast and stylish sports cars, but was left wanting by Jaguar's less-than-stellar reliability and meager interior space, he lovingly transformed the car into what he called "The World's Fastest Golf Cart."
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Playing to the Jag's inherent strengths, the body was mildly but yet expertly modified, just as needed for improved high-speed operation, to accommodate wider--much wider--wheels and tires, for example. A gun metal exterior color was chosen for the ultimate in sinister-looking understatement. Fit and finish are excellent, the ultra glossy paint--we've had it expensively re-sprayed in 2007--reflects the smoothest surface imaginable. There are no dings, scratches, bubbles or other imperfections of note.
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The now-defunct BORRANI shop in Santa Monica came up with this set of 10-inch wide, 72 spoke knock-off rims that are shod with BF GOODRICH T/A high performance radials of the dimension 265/50R15 all around. Needless to say, this cat sticks to the tarmac like glue!
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If you look closely, you'll notice a slightly taller hood bulge, and, indeed, further inspection reveals an ingeniously hand-crafted alloy scoop. Might there be a surprise lurking below the bonnet?
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Yessiree, a potent Chevrolet LT-1 Corvette engine was purchased, back in 1974, and treated to a complete blueprint, then expertly installed while leaving the Jag's square tube front subframe intact for that "factory" look. A Series 2 hood was fitted to take advantage of its much larger air intake for improved cooling.
According to a 3-page spec sheet that accompanies the car, internal engine mods include:
- Bore cylinder case .060
- Polish crank
- Pin fit pistons and rods
- Balance complete engine assembly
- Flash grind block
- Relieve oil holes
- Install TRW 11:1 pistons
- TRW Clevite 77 rod & main bearings
- CLOYES double roller timing chain
- BERGMAN blueprinted Z28 oil pump and screen GENERAL KINETICS camshaft, 486 int./exh. lift, 300 duration GENERAL KINETICS lfters Z28 pushrods
- Blueprinted cylinder heads, surfaced .020
- 3-angle valve grind
- Ports matched and unshrouded
- Z28 Valve springs
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Externally, a set of HOOKER headers dumping into large-diameter side pipes, a big HOLLEY 850cfm carb, and ACCEL ignition take care of business. This formidable 368 cu.in. LT-1 powerhouse was dyno-tested at 416 h.p., transforming this Anglo-American hybrid into one of the most powerful E-Types on planet Earth!
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Turning our attention to the inside, we notice unusual spaciousness. Wasn't the original flat floor Jag equipped with tiny, non-adjustable buckets mounted claustrophobically close to a large volant, making it nigh impossible for anyone over 5'11" and 180 lbs to fit comfortably?
Our resident genius Helmut Haupt, quite the portly fellow himself, tackled this issue--perhaps the early E-type's biggest shortcoming--once and for all: by relocating the metal bulkhead behind the seats 5 inches to the rear! To further improve the situation, Hector Larios retooled a special pair of Porsche seats. Following this surgery, your average 6'2" American Big & Tall customer is now able to easily fit inside the Jag without having to hold his breath!
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E-Type's no-nonsense cockpit reflects its "hairy" demeanor. Dash top is covered with genuine suede. A hand-hammered alloy cover hides the close ratio MUNCIE M-22 4-speed trannny. The equally impressive dash displays factory SMITHS gauges and toggle switches on unpainted aluminum and copper. Tough MOTOLITA leather steering wheel looks just right, too.
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Details, from left to right:
- Hand-formed alloy cup holder (!)
- Center instrument cluster
- Immaculate gray wool headliner with matching sunvisors
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Masterfully re-shaped Porsche seats have been covered with fine black lather that not only looks fantastic, but exudes an unmistakable aroma the folks at CONNOLLY would have wholeheartedly approved of! Brand new, classy gray wool carpeting completes the picture.
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XK-E is one of a handful of cars that look terrific from any angle, hereby confirming that Sir William Lyons created a true rolling sculpture. Let's check out the big cat's trunk now!
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Perfectly upholstered luggage compartment provides plenty of room for a couple sets of golf clubs plus a few duffle bags for a long weekend at the links. But wait . . . another secret is hidden below the carpeting: the trunk floor holds a huge racing fuel cell that surely is big enough for endurance events. How does 25 gallons sound?
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Fortunately, this 46 year-old Jaguar always resided in California, escaping the dreaded demon rust. It certainly helps that the car spent its life in a nice garage and--according to its former owner--has only covered 39,645 actual miles.
Let's drive!
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Monday, April 7th, 2008 was another fine day in the city of San Buenaventura, with plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the mid-70s; just the right setting for a trip to the beach.
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The XK-E V8 starts readily, cold or hot, and idles with authority; did you expect otherwise? With a heart that's made in the good ol' USA, there's nothing to worry about.
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Well balanced and decades ahead of its time, suspension-wise, the car handles sure-footed and with utmost confidence. Its direct steering and four-wheel GIRLING disc brakes--Jaguar was among the first manufacturers to use this technology--make twisty backcountry roads fun to negotiate. Adjustable KONI shocks and sway bars help, too. The stout MUNCIE four speed perfectly matches the car's character.
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A joy to pilot, utterly streetable, the mighty cat is surprisingly docile. She doesn't display any ill manners; gauges and lights work as they should. Truly, it's the perfect vehicle for street and strip (drag or track day) duties. The amount of attention one receives driving this amazingly beautiful automobile is hard to describe. Let's just say you'll be the object of much admiration wherever you park!
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'Course they hear you coming from far away. Dual sidepipes with SUPERTRAPP mufflers are precisely tuneable to your personal preference. Don't even pretend to let this cat purr, though. This ain't no docile pussycat after all; it's a roaring Jaguar on the prowl!
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Fast, fully sorted, and ready to kill--there are not too many Sixties-era supercars alive that can hold a candle to this unique Jaguar. Someone called it the "Great Accelerator;" we'll stick with the "World's Fastest Golf Cart" moniker for now.
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How much is this Jaguar worth? Well, you would not be able to build another one for less than $100,000.00 (if you could even find a suitable donor car). This one was originally modified in the good old high performance days of the early 1970s, always lovingly cared for, and recently thoroughly freshened and updated for today's highways and high speed driving events.
There's only one '62 flat floor Coupé like it, and here's your chance to own it!
Addendum:
We sold this Jaguar in 2008 to a customer in Italy.